EXPLORING and examining the dark, fictional lives of ordinary families is what Melbourne-based author Kylie Orr does best.
“I was once asked at a library event by an 80-year-old woman what inspires me,” Ms Orr told The Guardian.
“I thought, ‘geez that is a hard question to answer’ because it is such a broad question, and the answer I came up with was ‘rage’ – rage inspires me.
“I write about pretty dark topics. I just like to delve into domestic kind of scenarios of seemingly ordinary families, of their lives behind closed doors, because I think most of us can relate to ordinary families because we are ordinary families.
“But there are some dark things that go on in families that we don’t always see, and that is the area that I am really interested in getting to the nitty gritty of, when you open that door and see what is going on.”
The Swan Hill Regional Library, in partnership with Collins Booksellers, is set to host Ms Orr in a visit the Swan Hill region next week, to have a chat to readers about her debut novel Someone Else’s Child.
“I am just keen to explore the area and meet regional readers, because I feel like maybe they miss out a bit – it’s a really long way to come (to the city) for most events,” she said.
“It is really nice to just get out and meet readers, people who love books and want to chat about stories.”
Audiences can expect a fairly informal Q&A style talk with Ms Orr at her events.
“Mainly I prefer a Q&A structure because I feel like me just sitting and talking in front of people is probably a little bit boring,” Ms Orr said.
“It’s nice to be asked questions, I just let them come up with the questions because then I feel it’s a lot more organic and engaging talk.
“Attendees will be able to buy books if they want and I can sign them for them, or they can just come along and ask questions and have just a nice day out.”
Ms Orr will be at the Swan Hill Regional Library on Friday next week at 2pm. This is a free event, although bookings are preferred. To book, call the library on 5036 2480.
